Fluid treatment apparatus



Sept. 16, 1969 H. R. KARLEN ETAL 3,467,130

FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS Filed June 2. 1967 lI/IIl//lll Illl/Illl/l/I;

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Harz/ Kafrlem Here'r JZ. W@ new Um/65C E' sena/7222714 www? JW uw# @mi W United States Patent O M 3,467,130 FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS Harvey R. Karien, Chicago, Herbert E. Wagner, Tinley Park, and David C. Eisendrath, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Cory Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 2, 1967, Ser. No. 643,178 Int. Cl. E03c l/046 U.S. Cl. 137-268 15 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A fluid treatment apparatus wherein means are provided responsive to a variation in pressure in a fluid supply line for withdrawing a small quantity of fluid-treating material from an associated storing means and delivering it into fluid flowed through the fluid supply line. The material supply means includes an orice which has a cross section area preferably in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .002 square inch.

This invention relates to fluid treatment apparatus and in particular to means for introducing into fluid flowed through a supply line a preselected small quantity of fluid-treating material such as water softening material.

In water heaters and the like, a serious problem arises in the formation of scale resulting from calciferous salts and the like present in the water. The problem varies with the hardness of the water, i.e., the amount of such scale forming salts therein, and it is desirable to provide means for lowering the scale forming salt concentration to a preselected low level to minimize the scale forming tendency particularly where relatively hard water conditions exist.

`One method of softening such hard water is to treat the water with suitable water softening material such as conventional polyphosphate water softening material. The present invention comprehends an improved fluid treatment apparatus which introduces such water softening material into the water as it is flowed through a supply line wherein a preselected small quantity of the material is so introduced during each opening and closing of the supply line. Thus, the present invention distinguishes from known apparatuses for treating fluids, such as for softening water, wherein the fluid is continuously treated by flow through the softening apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is directed to providing a controlled delivery of the water softening material to the water in the supply line which is preselected to be proper therefor relative to the original hardness of the water in the supply line.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid treatment apparatus.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein new and improved means are provided for delivering a preselected small quantity of fluid-treating material into a fluid flowed through a supply line.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein new and improved means are provided for controlling the quantity of fluid-treating material sov provided in correlation with the requirements for treatment of the fluid flowed through the supply line.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein means are provided for effecting the delivery of a preselected small quantity of the fluid-treating material into the fluid flowed through the supply line upon each initiation of flow of the fluid through the supply line.

ICC

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the control means comprises a plurality of different size orifice means selectively installable in the apparatus for treating corresponding treatment requiring fluids.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the orifice means has a cross sectional area in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .002 square inch.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus including means defining a fluid flow passage having an upstream portion for receiving fluid such as hard water under pressure for flow through the passage, valve means for selectively closing the flow passage at a downstream portion, means defining a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as water softening material, means providing communication between the storing means and the flow passage intermediate the upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice having a cross sectional area in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .002 square inch, and flow control means associated with the storing means for causing fluid to flow from the flow passage through the oriflce toward the storing means when the valve means is closed thereby to cause a portion of the material to dissolve therein and for causing a preselected small quantity of fluid in which a portion of the fluid-treating material is dissolved to flow away from the storing means through the orifice into the flow passage when the valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of the fluid-treating material into fluid flowed through the flow passage.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the flow control means comprises a resilient wall member defining a boundary of the communication means responsive to an increased fluid pressure when the valve is closed to enlarge the communication means and receive fluid therein, and responsive to a decreased fluid pressure when the valve is opened to contract the communication means and urge fluid therefrom.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the flow control means comprises a resilient wall member defining a boundary of the storage space responsive to an increased fluid pressure when the valve is closed to enlarge the storage space and receive fluid therein, and responsive to a decreased fluid pressure when the valve is opened to contract the storage space and urge fluid therefrom.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the storing means comprises a one piece receptacle having means for connecting the communication means directly thereto.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus including means for removably installing the orifice means in the communication means.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the orifice means comprises a plurality of elements having different size orifices and the apparatus includes means for selectively, removably installing any one of the plurality in the communication means.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus including orifice means in the flow passage at the upstream portion for regulating the flow rate through the flow passage.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the orifice is preselected to cause the desired quantity of treating chemical to flow into the fluid flow passage for a preselected period of time, such as throughout the fluid flow through said passage to terminate substantially concurrently with the termination of the fluid flow.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus wherein the flow control means comprises a resilient pressure-constrictable element within the flow control means arranged to be constricted by the pressure of the fluid when the valve means is closed and resiliently expand and urge a portion of the fluid in which the treating material is dissolved to flow outwardly through said orifice into the flow passage when the valve means is opened.

Yet -another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid treatment apparatus including means for adjustably maintaining the fluid delivered to the upstream portion of the flow passage at any one of a plurality of different preselected pressures.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section of a fluid treatment apparatus embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged diametric section of a portion of the apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary diametric section thereof showing the use of a different, smaller orifice means therein;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary diametric section thereof showing the use of still another, larger orifice means therein;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged diametric section of a modified form of storing means for use therein;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical section of a modified form of fluid treatment apparatus embodying the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical section of another modified form of fluid treatment apparatus embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical section of still another modified form of fluid treatment apparatus embodying the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawing, a fluid treatment apparatus generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a fluid supply line 11 having an inlet portion 12 adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized fluid. In illustrating the invention, the fluid will be considered to be relatively hard water, it being understood that other fluids requiring treatment may be treated similarly in the apparatus. The supply line is further provided with a downstream outlet portion 13 which as shown in FIG- URE 1 may be connected to a tank 14 which may illustratively comprise a hot water tank wherein the water W may be heated by a suitable heater such as subjacent heater 15. The supply line 11 is further provided with a pressure regulator 16 of conventional construction and an orifice element 17. The delivery of water through the supply line 11 may be controlled by a valve 18 of conventional construction in the line 11 at the downstream outlet portion 13.

As indicated briefly above, the present invention comprehends the provision in apparatus 10 of means for introducing a preselected small quantity of treating material into the fluid flowed through the supply line 11 when the flow is initiated as by opening valve 18. These means herein generally designated 19 comprise a storing means 20 having communication with an intermediate portion 21 of the supply line 11 through a communication means 22. Communication means 22 includes a conduit 23 communicating by means of a T-connector 24 with the supply line portion 21, and a closed distal end portion 25 in communication with the storing means 20 through suitable passages 26.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, flow control means generally designated 27 are associated with the storing means 20 and the communication means 22 for causing fluid to flow from supply line portion 21 toward the storing means 20 when the valve 18 is closed and to cause fluid to flow away from the storing means 20 into the supply line portion 21 when the valve 18 is opened. More specifically, the flow control means comprises a resilient wall member 28 defining a boundary portion of the communication means 22 at the end 25 adjacent the storing means 20. A back-up support 29 may be provided outwardly of the wall member 28 for limiting the resilient deformation thereof in an outward direction. Thus, when the valve 18 is closed, the static fluid pressure in portion 21 acts through communication means 22 to cause a distention of the resilient wall member 28 outwardly against the support 29 as shown in dotted lines in FIG- URE 1. The regulator 16 and orifice 17 cooperate to provide a preselected static fluid pressure for effecting a desired controlled distention of wall member 28 when the valve 18 is closed. Illustratively, the preselected pressure may be approximately 8 p.s.i. When the valve 18 is opened, the pressure upstream of orifice 17 is maintained at the preselected pressure while the pressure downstream thereof may drop to below the regulated pressure. In effecting such controlled distention, a corresponding preselected small quantity of fluid passes from supply line portion 21 into the communication means 22, the volume of said portion being equal to the volume of distention of the member 28. When the valve is repositioned to the open position, the pressure is reduced permitting the resiliency of the member 28 to restore it to the normal position shown in full lines in FIGURE l. A volume of water corresponding to the displacement of the wall member 28 is thusly urged outwardly through the communication means 22 into supply line portion 21.

A quantity of fluid-treating material 30, herein a water softening material such as polyphosphate, is provided in the storing means 20 which herein illustratively comprises a cup-shaped receptacle 31 threadedly secured to the conduit 23 by a suitable annular flange 32 thereon to have communication through the passages 26 with the communication means. The material 30 is soluble in the fluid and, thus, a portion thereof is released into fluid in the Comunication means as well as in the storing means. Thus, each time a quantity of untreated water is delivered into the communication means by the closing of the valve 18, as discussed above, a small portion of the material 30 will effectively be delivered thereinto and subsequently delivered into the supply line portion 21 upon a subsequent opening of the valve 18.

As shown in FIGURE 1, an orifice element 33 may be installed in the inlet portion 24 of communication means 22. Where the pressure is approximately 8 p.s.i., it is preferable that orifice 33a of element 33 have a cross sectional area in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .002 square inch. The approximately 4 to 1 size range and specific size of the orifice have been found to be critical in the desirable functioning of apparatus 10 in providing the desired quantity of material 30 into the fluid in supply line portion 21 during each cycle of opening and closingl of the valve 18 as discussed above. The orifice size preferably should be sufficiently small to effectively prevent substantial diffusion of the fluid in which material 30 is dissolved in communication means 22 into the supply line such as where the valve 18 is closed for relatively long periods of time. Such undesirable diffusion would otherwise cause an excessive quantity of treating material 30 to be provided in the fluid delivered through the outlet 13 when the valve 18 is opened. However, the size of the orifice should be sufficiently large to provide the desired quantity of fluid-treating material 30 into the fluid in supply line portion 21 during the time the valve 18 is open. Still further, the size of the orifice 33a should be maintained relatively small so as to effect a jet flow therethrough to cause an improved relatively rapid mixing of the untreated fluid in the fluid within communication means 22 when the valve 18 is closed, and, alternatively, to provide an improved mixing of the fluid containing the treating material 30 delivered outwardly through the orifice 33a into the fluid in the supply line portion 21 when the valve 18 is opened.

It has been found that by maintaining the orifice size in the above indicated range the desirable features of operation discussed above are obtained while yet softening of hard water having different degrees of hardness over the normal range thereof may be effected. More specifically, as shown in FIGURES 2 through 4, the orifice element 33 may comprise any one of a plurality of different elements such as element 33 as shown in FIG- URE 3, element 33 as shown in FIGURE 2, and element 33' as shown in FIGURE 4 wherein the corresponding orifices 33a', 33a, and 33a" have different cross sectional areas within the above indicated range. Illustratively, orifice 33a may have a diameter of approximately 1/32 inch, orifice 33a may have a diameter of approximately .045 inch, and orice 33a may have a diameter of approximately .025 inch. The orifice elements 33', 33 and 33 may be provided as a set with the apparatus 1t) for selective use by the user in correlation with the softening requirements of the water supply.

The schematically illustrated orifice means 33 of FIG- URE 1 may comprise different ones of a series of orifice elements such as elements 33', 33" and 33" shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. The orifice elements, as illustrated, may be retained in an enlarged bore portion 24a of the T-connector 24 as by means of a longitudinally knurled outer portion 33b. The conduit 23 may be provided with a conventional flared end 23a which is sealingly engaged with a frusto-conical seating surface 24b on the distal end of the stem 24e of the T-connector 24. The sealing engagement is maintained by a suitable conventional nut 34 which may be threaded onto a suitable externally threaded portion 24e of the stem 24e. Thus, installation and removal of the orifice elements as for substituting different size elements may be readily effected by the readily disconnectable nut connecting means.

The orice element may be preselected to provide for a flow of the fluid solution from conduit 23 into the flow passage 21 during substantially the entire time of delivery of the fluid through the flow passage 21 to the tank 14. Illustratively, where the tank 14 is provided in combination with a coffee brewing apparatus, a preselected quantity of hot water is conventionally delivered from the tank such as by a suitably controlled solenoid operator 35 associated with valve 18. In one well known brewer application, the hot water is delivered over a period of approximately 180 seconds. Thus, the orifice size may be correlated with the pressure induced in and the resiliency of the control means 19 to cause the fluid solution therein to flow slowly outwardly through the orifice substantially during the entire 180 seconds. To facilitate such control, the pressure regulator 16 may be provided with adjustable means 36 for adjusting the pressure of the fluid.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a modified form of storingmeans 120 is shown to comprise a one piece receptacle 131 formed of a suitable resilient material such as plastic. The communication means conduit 123 is provided with a suitable conventional threaded connector 139 adapted to be threaded directly to the open end portion 140 of the receptacle 131. The fluid-treating material 30 is caused to be controlledly delivered into the fluid by the resilient enlargement and contraction of the space 141 within the receptacle 131 resulting from the pressure differences acting on the resilient walls or the receptacle. Thus, storing means 120 eliminates the need for the resilient wall member 28 of the communication means and provides the desirable controlled delivery of the treating material as a function of the resilient construction of the boundary of the space 141 defined by the storing means itself. The operation of the apparatus utilizing storing means 120 is in all other respects similar to the operation of the apparatus 10 as discussed above wherein wall member 28 is provided.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGURE 6, a modified form of control means 219 is shown to comprise a flow control means generally similar to flow control means 19 except for the substitution of a compressed air chamber 242 and a small diameter tube 243 upstanding from conduit 23, for the flow control means 27 of apparatus 10i. Thus, the pressure changes in the fluid within conduit 23 causes a resilient compression of the air within chamber 242 to effect the small inward and outward flow of fluid through the orifice 33a to provide the desired metered delivery of material 30 into the flow passage as in apparatus 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, a further modified form of control means generally designated 319 is shown to comprise a flow control means generally similar to flow control means 19, except for the substitution of a resilient, constrictable hollow member 344, illustratively comprising a hollow rubber ball, disposed within the storing means receptacle 331. In FIGURE 8, a similar hollow member 444 is disposed in an enlarged distal end portion 425 of the conduit 423. Portion 425 may be suitably connected to the end of conduit 423 and the ball member 444 may be sufliciently larger than the cross section of conduit 423 to be retained in the portion 425. In each of the flow control means 319, shown in FIGURE 7, and 419 shown in FIGURE 8, the constrictable ball member is resiliently constricted by the fluid pressure induced in the fluid when the valve 18 is closed. The energy of constriction is released upon the opening of the valve 18 to displace a corresponding small quantity of the fluid solution from the flow control means into the fluid passage portion 21 generally in the manner of the displacement effected by tllgileziaphragm 28 of control means 19, as shown in FIG- Thus, each of the embodiments of FIGURES 5, 6, 7 and 8 functions Similarly to the embodiment of FIGURE 1 in that a resilient yieldable portion of the flow control means is caused to store energy as an incident of the fluid pressure increase effected by the closing of the valve .18, and upon opening of the valve 18 releases this energy 1n -the form of a fluid solution flow outwardly through the or1fice 33a into the fluid passage portion 21 thereby to effectively treat the fluid flowing through the conduit 11 to the tank 14 in a controlled manner. The release of the energy, and thus the delivery of the fluid solution from the flow control means 19 into the flow passage portion 21, may be effectively controlled Iby the size of the orifice 33a, the pressure of the fluid under the control of the regulator 16, and the resiliency of the yieldable element of the flow control system. Thus, the invention provides the desirable feature of delivering only a preselected quantity of the fluid solution to the fluid flowing through the flow passage for a desired treatment thereof, while yet the fluid solution may be continously delivered into the fluid passing through the flow passage during substantially the entire time of dellvery therethrough. Thus, for example, where the fluidtreating material 30 is a water softening material, the total amount of the material 30 delivered into the water flowlng through the flow passage 11 into tank 14 maybe correlated with the hardness of the water by means of the selective orifice size. The water softening material may be mtroduced into the water flowing through the flow passage conduit 11 substantially uniformly to thereby provide an improved substantially uniform treatment of the water for lmproved softening thereof.

We claim:

v 1. Fluid treatment apparatus comprising: means defining a fluid flow passage having an upstream portion for receiving fluid such as hard water at a preselected pressure for flow through said passage to a downstream portion thereof; valve means for selectively closing the flow passage at said downstream portion; and feeder means including means defining a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as water softening material, means providing communication between said storing means and said flow passage intermediate said upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice having a cross sectional area in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .002 square inch, and flow control means associated with said storing means for causing fluid to flow from said flow passage through said orifice toward said storage space when said valve means is closed there-by to cause a portion of said material to dissolve in said fluid and for causing a preselected small quantity of the fluid in which a portion of said fluid-treating material is dissolved to flow away from said storage space through said orifice into said flow passage when said valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of said fluid-treating material into fluid flowed through said flow passages, said flow control means defining a boundary portion of said feeder means resiliently displaceable as a result of a pressure in said storage space to store energy and arranged to release said energy to cause a flow of fluid from said storage space as a result of relaxation of said pressure in said storage space.

2. The fluid treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow control means comprises a resilient wall member defining a boundary of said feeder means responsive to an increased fluid pressure when said valve is closed to enlarge said feeder means and receive fluid therein, and responsive to a decreased fluid pressure when said valve is opened to contract said feeder means and urge fluid therefrom.

3. The fluid treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow control means comprises a resilient wall member defining a boundary of said storage space responsive to an increased fluid pressure when said valve is closed to enlarge said storage space and receive fluid therein, and responsive to a decreased fluid pressure when said valve is opened to contract said storage space and urge fluid therefrom.

4. The fluid treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said storage space means comprises a one piece receptacle having means for connecting said communication means directly thereto.

5. The fluid treatment apparatus of claim 1 including means for removably installing said orifice means in said communication means.

6. The fluid treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said orifice means comprises a plurality of elements having different size orifices and said apparatus includes means for selectivley, removably installing any one of said plurality in said communication means.

7. Fluid treatment apparatus comprising: means defining a fluid flow passage having an upstream portion for receiving fluid such as hard water at a preselected pressure for flow through said passage to a downstream portion thereof; valve means for selectively closing the flow passage at said downstream portion; feeder means including means defining a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as water softening material, means providing communication between said storing means and said flow passage intermediate said upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice having a cross sectional area in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .002 square inch, and flow control means associated with said storing means for causing fluid. to flow from said flow passage through said orifice toward said storage space when said valve means is closed thereby to cause a portion of said material to dissolve in said fluid and for causing a. preselected small quantity of the fluid in which a portion of said fluid-treating material is dissolved to flow away from said storage space through said orifice into said flow passage when said valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of said fluid-treating material into fluid flowed through said flow passage; and

orifice means in said flow passage at said upstream portion for regulating the flow through said flow passage.

8. Fluid treatment apparatus comprising: means defining a fluid flow passage having an upstream portion for receiving fluid such as hard water at a preselected pressure for flow through said passage to a downstream portion thereof; valve means for selectively closing the flow passage at said downstream portion; feeder means including means dening a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as water softening material, means providing communication between said storing means and said flow passage intermediate said upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice having a cross sectional area in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .002 square inch, and flow control means associated with said storing means for causing fluid to flow from said flow passage through said orifice toward said storage space when said valve means is closed thereby to cause a portion of said material to dissolve in said fluid and for causing a preselected small quantity of the fluid in which a portion of said fluidtreating material is dissolved to flow away from said storage space through said orifice into said flow passage when said valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of said fluid-treating material into fluid flowed through said flow passage; and means for effectively maintaining the fluid delivery to said upstream portion of the flow passage at a preselected pressure.

9. Fuid treatment apparatus comprising: means defining a fluid flow passage having an upstream portion for receiving fluid such as hard water at a preselected pressure for flow through said passage to a downstream portion thereof; valve means for selectively closing the flow passage at said downstream portion; feeder means including means defining a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as water softening material, means providing communication be tween said storing means and said flow passage intermediate said upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice having a cross sectional area in the range of approximately .0005 square inch to .O02 square inch, and flow control means associated with said storing means for causing fluid to flow from said flow passage through said orifice toward said storage space when said valve means is closed thereby to cause a portion of said material to dissolve in said fluid and for causing a preselected small quantity of the fluid in which a portion of said fluid-treating material is dissolved to flow away from said storage space through said orifice into said flow passage when said valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of said fluid-treating material into fluid flowed through said flow passage; and means for adjustably maintaining the fluid delivered to said upstream portion of the flow passage at any one of a plurality of different preselected pressures.

10. Fluid treatment apparatus comprising: means defining a fluid flow passage having an upstream portion for receiving fluid such as hard water at a preselected pressure for flow through said passage to a downstream portion thereof; valve means for selectively closing the flow passage at said downstream portion; feeder means including means defining a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as water softening material, means providing communication between said storing means and said flow passage intermediate said upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice, and flow control means associated with said storing means for causing fluid to flow from said flow passage through said orifice toward said storage space when said valve means is closed thereby to cause a portion of said material to dissolve in said fluid and for causing a preselected small quantity of the fluid in which a portion of said fluid-treating material is dis solved to flow away from said storage space through said orifice into said flow passage when said valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of said fluid-treating material into fluid flowed through said flow passage; and mean for opening said valve means for a preselected period of time, said orifice means being preselected to cause said preselected fluid quantity to flow into said flow passage for a period often substantially equal to said preselected period of time.

11. The fluid treatment apparatus of claim 10 wherein said orice means is preselected to cause the iiow of said preselected fluid quantity into said flow passage to terminate concurrently with the closing of said valve at the termination of said preselected period of time.

12, Fluid treatment apparatus comprising: means dening a fluid ow passage having an upstream portion for receiving fluid such as hard water at a preselected pressure for ow through said passage to a downstream portion thereof; valve means for selectively closing the ow passage at said downstream portion; and feeder means including means defining a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as Watersoftening material, means providing communication between said storing means and said iiow passage intermediate said upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice, and flow control means associated with said storing means for causing uid to ow from said ilow passage through said orifice toward said storage space when said valve means is closed thereby to cause a portion of said material to dissolve in said fluid and for causing a preselected small quantity of the fluid in which a portion of said fluid-treating material is dissolved to flow away from said storage space through said orifice into said ow passage when said valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of said fluid-treating material into fluid owed through said ilow passage, said ilow means comprising a compression chamber spaced from said storage space and duct means providing communication between said chamber and said feeder means and having a compressible gas retained therein.

13. Fluid treatment apparatus comprising: means dening a fluid llow passage having an upstream portion for receiving uid such as hard Water at a preselected pressure for flow through said passage to a downstream portion thereof; valve means for selectively closing the flow passage at said downstream portion; and feeder means including means dening a storage space for storing a quantity of soluble fluid-treating material such as water softening material, means providing communication between said storage space and said flow passage intermediate said upstream and downstream portions including means defining an orifice, and flow control means associated with said feeder means for causing fluid to flow from said ow passage through said orifice toward said storage space when said valve means is closed thereby to cause a portion of said material to dissolve in said liuid and for causing a preselected small quantity of the fluid in which a portion of said fluid-treating material is dissolved to flow away from said storage space through said orifice into said ilow passage when said valve means is opened thereby to provide a controlled delivery of said Huid-treating material into uid owed through said flow passage, said flow control means comprising a hollow member having a resiliently compressible wall for storing energy as a result of an increase in pressure in the uid in said feeder means and releasing said energy by forcing said preselected quantity of fluid from said feeder means into said ow passage upon a decrease in said pressure resulting from the opening of said valve means.

14. The iluid treatment apparatus of claim 13 wherein said flow control means comprises compressible member within said storage space.

15. The uid treatment apparatus of claim 13 wherein said ow control means comprises a compressible member within said means providing communication between said storage means and said flow passage.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,060,456 10/1962 Jacobs 4-225 3,195,558 7/1965 Klueber et al. 137-268 3,340,888 9/1967 Farison 137-268 3,373,756 3/1968 Franz 137-268 XR M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner R. I. MILLER, Assistant Examiner 

